Crumple zone package for moisture sensitive products

ABSTRACT

A blister pack comprising a blister layer having a plurality of blisters formed therein, the blisters also having a plurality of recesses at a periphery thereof, the blister and recesses being partially defined by a blister lower wall, a blister upper wall and a blister connecting wall extending between the upper the upper wall and the lower wall whereby pressure exerted in the area of the blister upper wall and blister connecting wall will cause the blister to crumple to provide easier access to contents of the blister.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly, relates to a package for moisture sensitive components and to a method for packaging such moisture sensitive. components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Particularly, in the pharmaceutical field, there are some materials which are both temperature and humidity sensitive. These components must be kept at a certain temperature (usually below ambient) and the humidity level needs to be controlled.

One type of product which is sensitive to humidity is a lyophilized compound. The product starts out in a liquid form and is then frozen and lyophilized to emerge in its dry form.

One particular pharmaceutical component which undergoes a lyophilization is heparinase which is an enzyme that breaks down heparin. It is used in the monitoring of homeostasis.

One current package format for heparinase comprises packaging 20 cups along with their pins which rest in a tray in a box with a shrink wrap film covering the box. Once the package is open, the seal is broken and all 20 cups are exposed to the ambient environment which may not be benign to the active ingredient. The cups and their pins are held in place in the tray by gravity alone. The configuration is such that the operator has to take great care to keep the tray flat so that none of the cups and/or pins fall out of the box which would contaminate them and render the cup and pin unusable.

In a current production process, following controlled rehydration, the cups (without their pins) are shipped in bulk under controlled conditions to a secondary manufacturing site where the cups are put in trays of 20. Pins are inserted and the package is sealed. It is necessary to maintain a desired level of moisture or humidity in the product. However, one disadvantage is that once the package is opened, the moisture level of the products in the remaining cups may be affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a blister pack which provides for easier access to the blister and permitting easier removal of the contents thereof

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a blister pack comprising a blister layer, the blister layer having a plurality of blisters formed therein, at least one of the blisters having a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of the recesses being located adjacent the one of the blister, the blister being partially defined by a blister lower wall, a blister upper wall, the blister upper wall being spaced outwardly with respect to the lower wall, and a blister connecting wall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall whereby pressure exerted in the area of the blister upper wall and the blister connecting wall will cause the blister pack to crumple to provide easier access to contents of the blister.

Initially, although reference has been made herein to the use of heparinase as a compound which is contained within a cup within the blister, it will be understood that other compounds may equally well be used. Similarly, other arrangements for the container may be employed. In such an instance, the blisters and associated recesses will be shaped to the desired configuration.

The blister pack may be formed of any suitable material used for blisters. Typically, the blister pack includes a blister layer having blisters formed therein as is known in the art. The blister layer for the present invention will typically have a thickness of around 20 gauge although other thicknesses may also be utilized.

The blister layer also has a plurality of recesses formed around the periphery of one or more of the blisters. Preferably, the recesses are formed around each of the blisters. Typically three or four recesses will be utilized.

A cover layer overlies each blister as is known in the art. Depending upon the method of removal, the cover layer may be formed of a paper board material or a foil. Typically, the foil is used when there is a push through arrangement for dispensing individual tablets or the like. The paper or paperboard cover layer is designed to be peeled back to gain access to the contents of the blister.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blister layer has a plurality of perforated lines running therethrough in order that individual blisters may be separated. Also, preferably the paper layer is arranged to provide for easy peeling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blister pack according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a single blister with a cup and pin therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating removal of the cup and pin from the blister; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a blister pack which is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

Blister pack 10 comprises a blister layer 12 having a plurality of blisters or blister pockets 14. As may be seen, there are three finger recesses 16 formed adjacent each blister 14. As seen in the drawing, each finger recess 16 is spaced approximately 90° from an adjacent finger recess. Naturally, other arrangements could be utilized so long as they serve the function as will be described herein. In particular four recesses will function well.

Each blister or blister pocket 14, as may be best seen in FIG. 3, has a lower wall 18 which is substantially vertical. An upper wall 20 extends downwardly from blister layer 12 and is of an arcuate configuration. Connecting lower wall 18 and upper wall 20 is an intermediate connecting wall generally designated by reference numeral 22. Intermediate connecting wall 22 includes an upper substantially vertical section 24 and a lower arcuate section 26. There is also a bottom wall 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, blister layer 12 has a plurality of perforations 13 which extend in vertical and horizontal rows to divide blister pack 10 into individual blisters 32 as may be seen in FIG. 3.

A cover layer 44 extends over blister layer 12 and covers each blister pocket 14. Cover layer 44 includes a plurality of cuts 34 to provide a location where cover layer 44 may be peeled from the individual blisters.

In the illustrated embodiment, each blister 14 receives a cup 36 containing an ingredient. Cup 36 is shaped to have a cylindrical lower portion 38 and a larger cylindrical upper portion 40. Cups 36 also contain a pin 42.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an individual blister 32 may be broken off from blister pack 10. Cover layer 44 is then peeled back to expose cup 36 with pin 42. In order to gain access to the individual cups 36, a finger F and a thumb T may be placed partially within finger recesses 16. Downward pressure on blister layer 12 will cause the upper wall 20 and connecting wall 22 to crumple. This will allow for easier access to remove cup 36 and pin 42.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A blister pack comprising a blister layer, said blister layer having a plurality of blisters formed therein, at least one of said blisters having a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of said recesses being located adjacent said one of said blister; said blister being partially defined by a blister lower wall, a blister upper wall, said blister upper wall being spaced outwardly with respect to said lower wall, and a blister connecting wall extending between said upper wall and said lower wall whereby pressure exerted in the area of said blister upper wall and said blister connecting wall will cause said blister pack to crumple to provide easier access to contents of said blister.
 2. The blister pack of claim 1 further including a cover layer extending over said blisters.
 3. The blister pack of claim 1 wherein each of said blisters has a plurality of recesses formed proximate thereto.
 4. The blister pack of claim 3 wherein each blister has three recesses formed proximate thereto.
 5. The blister pack of claim 4 wherein said depressions are spaced approximately 90° apart around a periphery of the blister.
 6. The blister pack of claim 2 wherein said blister upper wall has a portion thereof of an arcuate configuration.
 7. The blister pack of claim 6 wherein said blister lower wall is substantially vertical.
 8. The blister pack of claim 7 wherein said blister connecting wall has a portion thereof of an arcuate configuration.
 9. The blister pack of claim 8 wherein said blister pack has plurality of perforations dividing said blister pack into individual blisters capable of being separated.
 10. The blister pack of claim 9 wherein said cover layer has cuts therein to facilitate removal of said cover layer from the blister layer. 